Author Archives: smaxreisert

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About smaxreisert

I'm a United Church of Christ pastor serving the small, faithful Old South Congregational Church, United Church of Christ, in Hallowell, Maine. I was ordained in Massachusetts in 1995, moved to Maine in 1997 and have served the Hallowell church since 2005.

Let’s Get Real

Posted on May 28, 2014 by smaxreisert

I serve on a small team examining and considering possible new models of governance and staffing for the Maine Conference. We’ve been meeting regularly since last summer, wrestling with a variety of issues, working with a consultant, and finally coming … Continue reading →

Posted in Maine Cautionary Tales | Leave a comment

I Don’t Feel That Funny

Posted on May 22, 2014 by smaxreisert

One of my favorite television shows is, or was, Modern Family. It makes me laugh, and that’s especially important on Wednesday evenings when I return home after a church meeting. Last night, though, I may have come to the end … Continue reading →

Posted in Popular Culture, Movies, TV | Tagged | Leave a comment

Uneasiness at the Graveside

Posted on May 12, 2014 by smaxreisert

It happened again. I was asked to officiate at an internment for someone associated with Old South (it’s not uncommon, in this cold climate, that people who pass away in the winter months are not buried until spring, months after … Continue reading →

Posted in Misc | Tagged , , , , | Leave a comment

Lessons from the College Tour

Posted on May 3, 2014 by smaxreisert

I recently returned from an almost weeklong college visiting tour with my seventeen-year-old daughter, who is currently a high school junior. Our tour took us from our home in Maine to Massachusetts, Connecticut, Pennsylvania and New York. If this blog … Continue reading →

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Has Music Become a Problem?

Posted on April 20, 2014 by smaxreisert

In the week or two before Easter, Old South receives at least a few phone calls or emails that ask about whether or not our bell choir will be “performing” on Easter Sunday. No one ever calls and asks about … Continue reading →

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Speaking of Preaching, Or Not

Posted on April 12, 2014 by smaxreisert

In this holy season of Lent, when we should be focused on a prayerful and thoughtful approach to our faith, when we should have the courage to examine our faithfulness, I find myself in a difficult place. For the first … Continue reading →

Posted in Maine Cautionary Tales, My Life as Pastor | Leave a comment

Career Day

Posted on March 29, 2014 by smaxreisert

Recently, Waterville Junior High held “Career Day.” As co-chair of the PTO, I was asked to help get some parents to speak on various careers. I was even given a list—Health Care, Veterinary services, Finance, Human Resources, Arts & Communications, … Continue reading →

Posted in My Life as Pastor | Leave a comment

It’s Not News that Religion Isn’t Important

Posted on March 15, 2014 by smaxreisert

A recent NBC News and Wall Street Journal survey has found that one in five Americans say that religion does not play an important role in their lives—the highest percentage since the poll began asking participants about their focus on … Continue reading →

Posted in Studies, Demographics, Reality | Tagged , | Leave a comment

Becoming a Part of Maine’s Aging Population

Posted on March 3, 2014 by smaxreisert

In just a couple of days, I will turn 50. Instead of ignoring this reality or trying to find some way of moving into it quietly, I’ve decided to do the best I can to embrace this milestone moment in … Continue reading →

Posted in Maine Cautionary Tales | Tagged | 1 Comment

A Lesson from High School Sports

Posted on February 22, 2014 by smaxreisert

I spent all day last Monday, at the Maine High School Class B State Swim Meet, held at the Greason Pool at Bowdoin College. My daughter is co-captain of her small girls swim team from Waterville High School. In the … Continue reading →

Posted in Sports | 1 Comment